BetVictor Column: Former England hotshot Owen’s weekend predictions

Michael Owen

Former England striker and BetVictor Ambassador Michael Owen looks forward to England’s game against Estonia on Friday and is wild about the chances of Harry Kane striking first for the Three Lions at Wembley.

England v Estonia

With England skipper Wayne Rooney sitting out training for a third successive day at St George’s Park on Thursday I would be surprised if England manager Roy Hodgson included his captain against Estonia and it makes sense for the manager to look at different attacking options.

The great thing about England’s record goalscorer is that he can play up front or withdrawn in the number 10 role and this flexibility is one of his many assets.

Knowing Wayne he will be desperate to play but in his likely absence Hodgson might consider playing Raheem Sterling off Harry Kane.

I know many are clamouring for Theo Walcott to start up front against a resilient Estonia but I still see the Arsenal player more of a wide-man or someone who can change the game for England from off the bench with his blistering pace against a tiring defence.

Sterling has not set the world alight at the Etihad yet but I would like to see him play off Harry Kane as I thought he was outstanding at the front of the diamond in England’s win in Switzerland which opened our Euro 2016 campaign last September.

Sterling played off Rooney on that occasion and had a hand in the two England goals in Basel both scored by Danny Welbeck if you remember.

Kane has only scored once in the white of Spurs this season (I am not counting his own goal at Swansea Arsenal fans!) but he did get the vital opener in the reverse fixture against a good Switzerland side at Wembley last month and was also on the mark in San Marino previously.

On both qualifiers last month Kane came off the bench but I think there is a case for the young Spurs striker to start against Estonia and he is my recommendation to grab the opening goal at 16/5 with BetVictor.

The Three Lions are 2/15 to maintain their impressive 100% record in qualification against Estonia at Wembley and all involved should be proud of what they have achieved to date. OK it isn’t exactly the “Group of Death” but I expect the Three Lions to make it a perfect 10 out of 10 in the Group stages against Estonia at Wembley and in Lithuania on Monday evening.